Writing stand-up poetry, short stories, my neverending novel and occasionally a bit of freelance journalism. Listening to music and generally being a bit of a music know-it-all. Learning to play the guitar, finally, at last - about 20 years after my first lesson (which wasn't a success).
Music
Folk, indie, rock, blues, world - anything vaguely alternative, basically. I am obsessed with The Pogues. Which is its own treatment, handily.
Movies
Brit flicks, horror films, extreme cinema, and films which other people think are "too depressing". This Is England (a fucking masterpiece), Switchblade Romance, Oldboy, Nil By Mouth, Naked, Scum, American History X, Reanimator, Wolf Creek, oh and a shitload of others. I don't watch enough films these days. I should watch more.
Television
WHALE WARS!!, Underbelly, LOST, Shameless, Ideal, Question Time, Charlie Brooker's Screen Wipe, Mock The Week, The Daily Show, Eastenders, Eggheads... not much apart from that. Most TV is shit. End of. Though Countdown is ace, primarily because I was on it once. (Well, twice, actually).
Books
Irvine Welch, Roddy Doyle, Stephen King, Hanif Kureishi, Fyodor Dostoevsky, music books. Loads of other stuff.
Heroes
Shane MacGowan, Philip Chevron, Attila The Stockbroker, John Cooper Clarke, David Rovics, Bob Dylan, Richard Thompson, Neil Young, Stephen King, Jimmy White, James Woods, oh you know... they're not really heroes. But they're all fucking cool.
Nick Boldock has become a Dad for the second time. Grace Jean born Oct 30th 2009... and she's a beaut. Mum & baby both doing great. Bliss. Posted at 10:35 PM Oct 30 view more
About me: I'm a writer. First and foremost I write prose fiction, in the form of short stories and my never-ending novel "Tracks", which I've been writing for so long it'll probably be published by Penguin Classics by the time it's finished...
I also, as eagle-eyed viewers may have spotted, have a sideline as a performance poet (or, as I like to call it, "rock n roll poet"). I'm resident poet at "Off The Road", the monthly music/cabaret night at the legendary Adelphi Club in Hull, and I also appear elsewhere, most recently at the Cottingham Festival, where I did three gigs across two days. I've shared a bill with such folk as Attila The Stockbroker (who I opened for in May 2009); David Rovics (ditto); Joseph Porter (Blyth Power); Pog; and Philip Jeays, among others. I mix poetry, comedy and (occasionally) politics and I don't pull punches. What I do - is not for kids.
Publishing-wise, I've had my short story "Choked" published by Byker Books (in their first 'Radgepacket' anthology) and am about to have "Alice - A Ghost Story" published by Article magazine (printed and distributed in Lincolnshire) - due out July 09. I've also had some poetry published - two of my poems, "The Final Friday" and "Speaking In Tongues" were included in the anthology 'The Slab - Volume 3' (available in Waterstones Hull), though I generally don't write poetry for the page - only for the stage.
I've also done a whole host of reviews (particularly music), articles, commentary and other stuff both in print and on the Web.
I am always looking for more live gigs - please drop me a line if you are a promoter looking for something a little different. Please bear in mind that my shows are only suitable for adults...
Who I'd like to meet: Oh, you know, people who write stuff. And people who publish stuff. And people who read stuff. And people who like watching sweary poets. That sort of thing.
Sorry Nick, hand slipped on last message. I shall send you our line up on top secret message. I am planning something very special for next Off The Road
Hi Nick, Paul Jackson's rang he's had to move us to Saturday 29th August instead of the 28th Aug hope this date is ok with you? Please let me know ASAP. Jayney
sorry I spelt your name wrong on the poster, I much prefer and A to an O (when typing) or possibly I was getting you mixed up with Tony Robinson, do you have a cunning plan? cheers Darren
Thanks Nick for all of your hard work over the weekend. What a top notch time we had. It was great to see the audience at the Dukes appauld with regards to the cynical, ignorant, drunken wanker who didn't get your message of peace in the fuck war poem. Jayney x
Thanks alot! :) And good work managing all the shit! And in response to your blog...
"Not world war 2" Well it could have possibly have been world war one if he was that ancient ;) Anyway... not to beat around the bush... Screw the inconsiderate biddy! Im sure it was great! Phil Sholtysek
Hi thank's for adding me and your nice comment's i realy enjoyed the gig .It has got to be one of the best festival's that i have been to and it is great what all of you are doing can you give Jayney a big thankyou from me for letting me play . Hope you like the CD it is my old stuff done when i was 14 but i will soon be working on my new EP and getting it out there .i will try and get to see you all again today if i can thank's again Abbie Lammas xx
Hi Nick, I was gona grab a taxi and head down there for 5pm to help Mandy with the PA equipment. I couldn't grab a lift with you if you could get down there for 5.00?
Hi Nick, your comment on your blog is top notch by the way. I've left a comment. Thanks for everything. I wish I had noticed your offer before I've just been down to Newland on foot to get a few last minute stuff. Mandy is bringing all the PA equipment down. Art is bringing the Guitar amp and I've got the gafa tape. I'm just about ready to rock n roll :-)
Yeah...I'm giving in to the immoral majority again, dressing up my MySpace and all. No wonder we have such horrible choices for the upcoming election. (Did I say "choices"??? Hahahahaha...I was re-living the ol' days of democracy there...sorry!) I can see it now: President Palin. God help us all. Anyway...so glad to hear from you and I wish you the same happiness and health you've wished me! I so love your avatar on my page. It fills a space on MySpace I don't need to alter or come up with on my own. :-) Take care, Nick, and keep in touch when possible!
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